[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6306713,"mediaKeyId","2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518","parentId",2436747,"title","Industry urges acquisition reform and relief from regulatory burdens; continuing resolutions flagged as major harm","audioSeconds",5660,"startMs",1567000,"endMs",7227000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518&start=1567&end=7227","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518/thumbnail_1567000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306713/Industry-urges-acquisition-reform-and-relief-from-regulatory-burdens-continuing-resolutions-flagged-as-major-harm","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306713-15da511f3d31c668a177bbd8fd8372e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016638&Signature=DD6nObSO5I9rjfkaCydp5~DkjsAYGG2YaTIk~EgoxNbgXJzKeyJII4O5Z-roX4F3bMeoK3GkxId9sqiKGIwvDE9sT5G7y6t5vo8yY2gbogT7SPrMrLb~hkIof2aB5A1BDIZ2aN1UkCI7s20y~XSleNIgUoUX33r3So8FbsoLGcQ3Vc-YEaJp-TL05xrUMfAuMVeCS6JkBwMaINx2-8oYkfnm3LHDk-RMrhCAj1eQi27I1~7yzll3ru2flz2lONTLl1ruGQWQQrlDg8QKfkMXtL8E82lUWgjXCRRApORIeC7X81Aw20J-N~4KuGALL8lEQFRDc5rncb4k3r94nI~8Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Armed Services Committee","date","2025-02-28T02:22:36.693Z","article","Industry witnesses told the committee layered regulations, long award timelines and funding uncertainty reduce competition and slow delivery of capability to the field.

Eric Fanning said the cumulative effect of risk‑mitigation policies has become \"a greater risk than the combined mitigation\" because they delay materiel to warfighters and disincentivize new entrants. He cited commercial contractors’ preference for faster commercial work when Department of Defense processes are slow and noted that prolonged continuing resolutions force small suppliers to burn cash reserves or exit defense contracting.

Members asked for specific fixes. Witnesses suggested raising thresholds for cost and pricing data, piloting faster authorities for certain technology classes, improving incentive structures for program offices and contracting officers, and ensuring that tools meant to attract nontraditional vendors do not lock them into the slow system once successful. David Norquist urged execution of already proposed FMS reforms and faster use of direct commercial sales pathways where appropriate.

A recurring theme was that CRs are distortive: witnesses said long CRs and repeated short‑term funding spurts create cash‑flow stress, interrupt new starts and lead firms to choose commercial work over defense. Fanning warned that CRs have a ripple effect through supply chains and that small firms are especially vulnerable.

Committee members asked for written specifics on programs or contract clauses that could be changed, and industry leaders pledged to provide follow‑up lists and suggested pilots for streamlined acquisition tracks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","20250226: FC: Strengthening America’s DIB, Workforce and Production Lines to Deter War","oneSentenceSummary","Industry witnesses said layered regulations, long award timelines and continuing resolutions disincentivize suppliers and slow fielding of capabilities.","taxTitle","Armed Services: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1833,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306717,"Lawmakers and industry press for munitions surge planning after wartime shortfalls",94,2399000,2493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518&start=2399&end=2493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518/thumbnail_2399000.jpg","/articles/6306717/Lawmakers-and-industry-press-for-munitions-surge-planning-after-wartime-shortfalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306717-e13c58d4a50fe5142e84b8e2d6746dae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016638&Signature=jTSrAQFBLJwXV8TJ2oDZCm00kaTIAvephi93uXsF52k4DHXI3S6kQcRqwhpBCuDX0UBMc~CJhZVmpGUJHJcigu2I4oTqWTMPe-5CLxnXxlKP44YwAxnOMlbhu4KbR7wj3cBdhWPRzOqwqjlitAJhGub3nUVI7X282T9WBUb1Q10JPAqvC3NWr2Pds324Z8xXmfVzE7s2buBOjE473TJEYXRJvakrlih5zGXUfAay90J0GodC0NcSlxo1gHSrKZNdzgN4UHXHQQ~UzEd42YeG7VPMPgCDV9QrF0QV9Lp9WaXt2IphkqOf2jXQ3uSOE1hpwRboR1HFOVyEkyqThFKQAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members and witnesses used the hearing to underline a stark lesson from recent conflicts: munitions production can be brittle and slow to ramp. David Norquist told the committee that unstable demand signals and budgetary swings deter firms from opening or maintaining additional production lines. \"When the budget gets tight, often the department will ask for amounts only necessary to keep a facility open and running,\" he said, adding that this pattern discourages companies from investing in second production lines.

Committee members and witnesses described several practical steps to improve surge capacity. Norquist suggested contracting approaches that explicitly value surge capacity — for example, allowing firms to include standby capacity as an allowable cost or pricing element — and recommended moving away from strictly just‑in‑time inventories for critical components. He also pointed to training time and access to capital as constraints: building new lines and training workers takes years.

Witnesses emphasized that stockpiling some final munitions or critical raw materials could mitigate short‑term disruptions, but they cautioned such approaches are costly and must be targeted. Members asked for follow‑up: which munitions require guaranteed floors, and how long it would take to bring new production online.

The hearing produced no binding commitments but added momentum to bipartisan congressional conversations about procurement rules and the potential use of authorities such as the Defense Production Act to accelerate capacity in crises. Industry and members agreed that reforming contracting language and budget stability are immediate levers to reduce the risk of supply shortfalls.","Witnesses told the House committee that U.S. munitions production and inventory practices left the country ill‑prepared for sudden large‑scale demand. Industry recommended clearer inventory floors, contract terms that pay for surge capacity, and incentives for multiple suppliers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306722,"Committee probes U.S. shipbuilding capacity and shipyard workforce; witnesses back Ships for America framework",1398,2022000,3420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518&start=2022&end=3420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518/thumbnail_2022000.jpg","/articles/6306722/Committee-probes-US-shipbuilding-capacity-and-shipyard-workforce-witnesses-back-Ships-for-America-framework","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306722-4ad004c8b0d3152f1a4ced386178a65f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016638&Signature=Fn00wjYeflGIBeTWEhHfV6uHGkm99P4eprTIbsvICZjonGxjIZw9NpAQ9j61sJVI0DzN9byOc-2NSnSN3-d9Vr5r1rN90EBEo4-aP912qsGjlWXNiXvC9RkMIxMlvqWd-vssDAdZ~iJg2kQwz9U3bx639GdsF9-5gyfOnYTFAxPAYgVJbZ712FqzxuJajP-Ul3PbhS07~XUVfnBdcgQonYgUmI3LqHsyaJabAAZUG7JzuEJjnz0jrw1zICvHoplbRSSl4Ge7SVfHfrg56Yo5Ii2drWOeOpCFO8g-FdXuxj~AXl7UIVUBUOgT-W29~7iIDuNlkpOzhjcIr1Bu2sNDmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Armed Services Committee focused part of its hearing on America’s maritime industrial base, with multiple members citing a shrinking fleet, long maintenance backlogs and an eroded supplier workforce.

Max Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, testified the nation’s private shipyards \"have physical capacity\" but have acted cautiously because of decades of low demand, funding volatility and changing ship specifications. \"Industry capacity is a reflection of the demand signal of our government and commercial customers,\" he said.

Paxton and other witnesses argued that unpredictable budgets and frequent specification changes increase cost and delay delivery. Paxton described instances of heavy government oversight in shipyards — where he said government oversight ratios can reach 16:1 — and urged more partnership between the Navy and private industry to reduce requirements creep and share risk. Rep. Rob Wittman and other members urged multiyear buys and stable budgets to permit shipyards to invest in tooling and workforce.

Members highlighted the Ships for America Act as a framework to connect commercial and naval shipping needs and to spur a maritime workforce. Rep. John Garamendi and Paxton described the bill as a way to create a national maritime strategy and to leverage domestic shipbuilding for commercial and defense logistics.

The committee also discussed Guam’s dormant ship repair facilities. Paxton said Guam could provide strategic capacity for the Indo‑Pacific and supported leasing or private investment to restore capabilities there. Members pressed for rapid action given regional timelines.

On submarines and undersea warfare, multiple members said the United States must accelerate Virginia‑class construction and Columbia‑class programs. Witnesses said workforce shortages and supply‑chain fragility, not physical berth space, are the main constraints to faster production.

The discussion closed with members asking witnesses for concrete follow‑up — lists of suppliers that have departed the industrial base, candidate investments for multiyear contracting, and proposals to scale training programs like the Advanced Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) center in Danville, Va. No formal committee action was taken; members requested further documents and company responses appear in the hearing record.","Industry witnesses told the House committee the U.S. has physical shipyard capacity but lacks a stable demand signal, skilled workforce and streamlined oversight. Witnesses and members discussed the Ships for America Act, Guam shipyard potential, and the need for multiyear buys and labor training.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306727,"House panel hears unified warnings: U.S. defense industrial base atrophied, needs demand signal and regulatory fixes",11252,931000,12183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518&start=931&end=12183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518/thumbnail_931000.jpg","/articles/6306727/House-panel-hears-unified-warnings-US-defense-industrial-base-atrophied-needs-demand-signal-and-regulatory-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306727-62db110cc4284b480f9bf343a9f53a60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016639&Signature=F0Dhl78ilhuEWvsE4gDW5WCAbdEJgjnRFgfmWPy974v52U8ZZllbWmdTX6AqevUEgmcAwDivll8jEbrk4hKcs0vy6CBLLO837usMEzgDH2-cEh4rK1Gh52RXXsfy3aW20umnKtX0qkJvioeC8qUKLDakW6UnpNqkUuZKdjqz1lNarUJt24WP~1unP58sKumc0DMU23kacU2T22PArLWMwT4qsD7niKkVuUpIe3uv9Dz2xY4ArUSy2J2htov~eiw07~faMVkOp0rEYmi9J84oVMrV4VO-WYRcd7dHP0p0czYo8f-hS-XGNacVSfurd-UG~wqKk9GbhiEpb~r-kUWTxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Mike Rogers opened the House Armed Services Committee hearing saying the United States must restore the industrial base that supplies the military. \"We cannot prevail in any conflict without a ready, strong, and adaptable industrial base,\" he said, listing consolidation, narrowed supply chains and regulatory burdens as drivers of decline.

Witnesses from industry testified that the problem is longstanding and multifaceted. Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, said the sector relies on \"clear demand signals from Congress and the executive branch, sufficient federal investment, a healthy and resilient supply chain, and a regulatory environment that promotes both innovation and adoption.\" David Norquist, president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, told the committee Congress and the Pentagon have resourced the industrial base for low‑intensity conflict and that transition is needed to prioritize capacity, speed and resilience.

The hearing highlighted three recurring fixes industry leaders offered: (1) long‑term, predictable buying plans so firms can invest in capacity and workforce; (2) targeted reduction of regulatory burdens that prolong contracting and deter new entrants; and (3) investments in domestic sources for critical materials and in workforce training. Fanning said it now takes \"nearly 300 days on average to award prime contracts with estimated sales of more than $100,000,000,\" and he warned those delays push small suppliers out of the defense market.

Members of the committee pressed witnesses on tradeoffs. Ranking Member Adam Smith emphasized choices: the United States cannot fund every capability simultaneously and must set priorities and coordinate with allies to share burdens. Several members echoed that message and asked whether reforms that accept more programmatic risk could speed delivery to the warfighter.

Witnesses offered concrete levers. Norquist pointed to contract design that pays for spare capacity or allows multiple suppliers, and recommended moving away from strictly \"just‑in‑time\" inventory approaches for critical items. Fanning urged pilots of faster authorities for specific technology classes to experiment with greater risk tolerance under careful oversight.

The hearing did not produce formal committee action; instead, members and witnesses framed the policy choices Congress will have to make in upcoming annual authorization and appropriations work: whether to provide multi‑year buys and budget stability, where to accept more procurement risk to gain speed, and how to target funds for workforce training and supply‑chain resilience.

As the session closed, witnesses reiterated a common formula: a resilient defense industrial base requires predictable demand, streamlined acquisition practices where appropriate, and investment in people and facilities. The committee record will include witness reports and follow‑up questions to flesh out fundable proposals.","Witnesses and members told the House Armed Services Committee that the U.S. defense industrial base has weakened over decades. They urged clearer long‑term demand, reduced regulatory burdens, and expanded workforce and supply‑chain resiliency to restore surge capacity and deter adversaries.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306711,"Committee hears urgent call to rebuild skilled manufacturing pipeline — apprenticeships, community colleges and regional centers highlighted",2499,3114000,5613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518&start=3114&end=5613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436747-8c2ee2d35d26bb8c145713bf7c3bf518/thumbnail_3114000.jpg","/articles/6306711/Committee-hears-urgent-call-to-rebuild-skilled-manufacturing-pipeline-apprenticeships-community-colleges-and-regional-centers-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306711-6335fff5f41ccc449bb472345700c924/orig.mp4?Expires=1771016639&Signature=bkpCcW0SXjWg46Mg-lSm1z-0~~etZMGLP8o6HF9OgNkZUO97TQPI3vTws2ut3IOTi3anoYLphxHmFGN-X26hWRWQzQNJNzIJhDlfUVhEuopVQepxM8hFuKlj6CA7t7xl3cWDGM-PQii6hszR-avijjd3BDhbbAF2VO9aYa8SwO2uzpkBo9kqFkOdEyZvZS2N9d3VcXTdBODKEXRzN4EPypbsxX3k-WfwfBRqsHM-Y2VmbwekIbA-W5ne5Z3XaF~40ofHsC6Q09Am~RBaEYrTecVpP3y4dm6GFHU2s9CRubI66ejZcIsyE9N9JdNv9FPyXR3xwFVCS64foeacDsDI1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple members and witnesses described workforce shortages as the top long‑term barrier to increasing production and repair capacity.

Max Paxton said \"workforce is number one challenge facing the shipyard industrial base\" and described a generational shift after COVID with many experienced workers retiring and fewer journeypersons remaining. He pointed to programs such as welding and pipefitting training and the Advanced Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) center in Danville, Va., as examples of successful local training partnerships.

Eric Fanning emphasized industry efforts with community colleges and earlier STEM engagement, and called for federal support for apprenticeships, on‑the‑job training, credentialing and incentives for companies to invest in training. David Norquist said his association runs scholarship programs and surveys showing 20–30% of members report shortfalls in STEM, trade and cleared personnel.

Members from both parties urged combining federal support, industry partnerships and community outreach, and requested specifics on replicable training models and funding paths (tax incentives, grants or allowable contract costs) to encourage small and mid‑tier firms to train and retain workers rather than losing them during funding swings.

No new federal program was created during the hearing; committee staff asked witnesses to deliver concrete program templates and cost estimates for potential inclusion in authorization and appropriation proposals.","Witnesses said workforce shortages are the single biggest constraint for shipbuilding, repair and broader defense manufacturing. They urged expanded apprenticeships, K‑12 STEM engagement, vocational training centers and incentives so small firms can invest in worker training.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Industry urges acquisition reform and relief from regulatory burdens; continuing resolutions flagged as major harm

Lawmakers and industry press for munitions surge planning after wartime shortfalls

Committee probes U.S. shipbuilding capacity and shipyard workforce; witnesses back Ships for America framework

House panel hears unified warnings: U.S. defense industrial base atrophied, needs demand signal and regulatory fixes

Committee hears urgent call to rebuild skilled manufacturing pipeline — apprenticeships, community colleges and regional centers highlighted